We landed at the Newark airport around 4:30 pm, which was barely enough time to make it to the hotel for check-in and up to the theater. We arrived at 8:04 for an 8:00 show. Had time for a photo at intermission:

We saw An American in Paris, and it was lovely. After the show we wandered around Times Square for a while. I took a few photos, but it was far too crowded for Rebecca to get out and be in them. Then we settled into our fancy hotel. I was surprised because it was so fancy because I paid less for this trip (airfare+hotel) then I did for my trip to Denver on Memorial Day, and I booked last minute (as in the morning before I left). Here’s a photo on the window seat:

We could see the new World Trade Center and the memorial fountain. In the morning I just sat at the window and stared at it for a while.

The next day, we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. The destination was Brooklyn Bridge Park for a Ramen burger. Totally worth the walk!

The last time I went to Yankee Stadium was 2001, and I was interested in seeing the new stadium, but not sure I wanted to spend that much valuable sightseeing time on baseball. When I found out they were playing the Mariners, that seemed like a sign that I should go. So I went to root, root, root for the home team.

Again lucky to have an empty seat next to me, Rebecca watched the game from the comfort of the Maplelea backpack:

After the walk to Brooklyn and the hours sitting in the sun for the game, I was so drowsy, so I went for a nap. Planning to wake up for dinner, I woke up at 11:30 instead. Too late to venture out for dinner on my own in a city I’m not very familiar with, so I went back to bed. So sad to miss out on an awesome New York meal, but so nice to relax (mmmm, Westin Heavenly Bed).

The next day was the last day, so in the few hours we had we went to the Museum of Modern Art (loved it) and American Girl (how could I not).

Ate my breakfast (pie from Magnolia Bakery) at Rockefeller Center:

The New York American Girl was nice and big.

I was wishing for big historical displays like at the original Chicago store, and the New York versions were pretty cute. Rebecca got photos in Julie and Rebecca’s sections:

And here’s a photo “hanging” out in the bathroom:

And finally on the plane ride home:

It was a really fun trip. I could have done so much more sightseeing if it weren’t 100 degrees. I could have wandered around the city for hours. But at that temp, I couldn’t. It was a good training weekend for the trip to Florida I made the following week. But it was too hot for this Seattle girl. I am feeling dehydrated now just thinking about it, so I think I’ll stop typing. Here’s one more photo. It’s of Coconut, wearing her AG New York souvenirs:

We made it! Here is the last of my historical collection, Kaya. Kaya is a Nez Perce Girl. Nez Perce lived in areas of what is now Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. She has just a few outfits and a teepee:

I was hoping that Kaya would get more of a makeover for BeForever. Would it kill American Girl to give her more outfits?

Let’s look back at everything:

Felicity

Caroline

Josefina

Marie-Grace and Cecile:

Kirsten

Addy

Samantha

Rebecca

Kit

Molly

Julie

I just want to shout out that I love the historical characters! These oufits and accessories are what made me fall in love with American Girl the moment I got my first catalog in the 90s. My favorite is Molly because she was my first. Who’s your favorite?

Say hello to Samantha, the first American Girl to come back from retirement! Here is my Samantha collection:

I can see my mother rolling her eyes at my third dolly bicycle, but I couldn’t resist free shipping!

Here’s Samantha in the winter coat that came out around the same time as Samantha’s movie:

Marisol looks sensational in Samantha’s Cranberry Party Dress:

Here’s Gwen in the new winter coat:

Samantha’s bike is really beautiful. Critics say it’s too modern, but someone on the dolly boards found a vintage advertisement for a bicycle that came in vermilion, and safety bicycles were first designed in 1876 according to Wikipedia. Mia looks gorgeous in the pink hair ribbon and turquoise-accented blouse:

Here’s Caroline in Samantha’s new meet dress (which I think is pretty mediocre) and Kanani in the Frilly Frock…

…that I think is amazing!

Nellie looks quite sophisticated in the dress she borrowed from Samantha:

Molly, Marie-Grace, and Jess chillin in sleepwear:

Rebecca models Samantha’s new holiday set:

Poor Kaya is dressed to be shipped off to boarding school:

And Kirsten borrows Nellie’s dress, which happens to be her favorite color:

Best Friends Forever Elizabeth and Felicity display timeless beauty:

I have mixed feelings about Samantha’s return. Her new collection is very pink, but I’m eager to see future releases. Who wants to share their favorite Samantha outfit, new or retired?

I’ve been admiring my girls all week in their new Beforever outfits, and I’ve been wondering how they fit in with the rest of each girl’s collection. So I decided to dig out all of my outfits from the historical collection, and photograph them all. This might take a while. I decided to start with Julie and work back in time. Let’s start with the group photo:

Back row: On Bicycle=Caroline, In VW= Ivy and Julie, On Bleachers= Felicity, Kaya, Josefina, Kit, Nellie

3rd row: Addy, Cecile, Samantha, Elizabeth

2nd row: Rebecca, Lindsey, Ruthie

Front row: Jess, Molly, Sonali, Isabelle

And here are close-ups of my favorites from today:

Josefina in Basketball gear, standing on bleachers

Ivy in her rainbow romper, and Julie in her patchwork outfit riding the Beetle

Felicity in Summer Skirt

Elizabeth in birthday dress with goodies

Kaya in Floral Jumpsuit

Caroline in Julie’s outfit riding the banana seat bike

Nellie in Dog Walking Outfit

Samantha in Calico Dress (hooray for a kerchief to contain that mane)

Cecile in Christmas Dress

Ruthie rocks Ivy’s outfit and beret

Rebecca in Ivy’s New Year Outfit

Kit in pajamas styling the Barbie head

And how about some more photos of Julie’s outfits, that have been posted to the blog previously:

Oh man, I forgot about this outfit in the group photo because I’m storing it in the box with the disco ball. Oh well. No retakes!

about this blog

My name is Marjorie. In most respects I am a grown up, in that I'm old enough to be a grown up and I have a full time job. I'm Marjorie. I'm a grown up. I love my dolls. I'm a Mormon.
I have recently decided to dedicate this blog to my dolls. Maybe I think they need to make more friends on the internet. I currently collect American Girl, Maplelea, A Girl for All Time, and Carpatina. I have others too...I look forward to you meeting all of my dolls. Have a nice day.